Research Article
Smart Forestry, Digital Tools, Technologies, and Innovations for Sustainable Forest Management in Kenya
Benjamin Mutuku Kinyili*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
258-274
Received:
2 November 2025
Accepted:
18 November 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20251306.11
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Smart forestry, the strategic use of digital tools, Earth Observation (EO) systems, drones, mobile GIS applications, and integrated data platforms and is becoming increasingly important for effective forest governance in Kenya. Forest ecosystems across the country face persistent pressures from illegal logging, charcoal production, encroachment, and climate-driven disturbances, creating a need for faster, more transparent, and data-driven management. In response, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and partners have adopted a suite of digital innovations including satellite-based forest-cover monitoring, drone-supported reconnaissance, mobile data-collection tools, and a national Forest Information System (FIS) that integrates licensing, real-time inventory, and automated alerts. These digital systems have already yielded measurable gains, including a documented reduction in illegal logging cases between 2020 and 2024 and greater participation of Community Forest Associations (CFAs) through mobile reporting of forest health, fire outbreaks, and encroachment. Pilot deployments in Kericho and Baringo show that drones enhance coverage of inaccessible sites and reduce operational costs by up to 35 percent, while emerging digital marketplaces and blockchain-style traceability systems are improving value chains for legal timber and non-timber forest products. Despite this progress, structural barriers—such as weak rural Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) infrastructure, high device and data costs, and low digital literacy—continue to limit widespread adoption. The paper recommends targeted investments in digital infrastructure, public–private partnerships, capacity-building programs, and policy support to scale up smart forestry nationwide. Integrating digital tools into routine operations offers a transformative pathway toward sustainable forest management, enhanced accountability, a stronger forest-based economy, and progress on Kenya’s climate, restoration, and biodiversity commitments.
Abstract: Smart forestry, the strategic use of digital tools, Earth Observation (EO) systems, drones, mobile GIS applications, and integrated data platforms and is becoming increasingly important for effective forest governance in Kenya. Forest ecosystems across the country face persistent pressures from illegal logging, charcoal production, encroachment, an...
Show More
Case Report
The Role of Agroforestry in Climate-resilient Land and Soil Management: A Case Study of Nigeria’s Ogbomoso Agroforestry Project
Mohammed Abubakar Mohammed*,
Ofia Innocent Chinedu,
Abdul Rahim Mohammed Abubakar,
Soliu Muhammad Jamiu Badari
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
275-280
Received:
12 July 2025
Accepted:
8 August 2025
Published:
19 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20251306.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as a vital tool for sustainable land and soil management, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change. This abstract explores the Ogbomoso Agroforestry Project in Oyo State, Nigeria, where the integration of tree crops such as mango, cashew, and teak with traditional staple crops like maize and yam has been employed as a climate-resilient strategy. This initiative addresses key issues such as soil erosion, declining soil fertility, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which are exacerbated by climate change. The practice of agroforestry in Ogbomoso helps stabilize the soil through tree root systems that reduce erosion caused by wind and water. Additionally, leguminous trees enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, thus enhancing soil fertility naturally and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. The inclusion of trees in farming systems also improves water retention, a critical factor in semi-arid regions, ensuring that crops can thrive even during dry periods. By promoting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and providing additional sources of income from tree crops, the Ogbomoso Agroforestry Project not only improves the land’s productivity but also contributes to environmental sustainability and economic diversification. However, despite these benefits, there are challenges, including limited access to technical knowledge, resources, and the long maturation period of tree crops. Addressing these challenges requires government support and policies promoting agroforestry, as well as local and international collaboration. By integrating trees with agriculture, the project provides a holistic solution that enhances soil health, increases agricultural productivity, and fosters ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.
Abstract: Agroforestry is increasingly recognized as a vital tool for sustainable land and soil management, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change. This abstract explores the Ogbomoso Agroforestry Project in Oyo State, Nigeria, where the integration of tree crops such as mango, cashew, and teak with traditional staple crops like maize and yam h...
Show More
